Anastasia Mary "Estelle" Himmel

Anastasia Mary Himmel died peacefully in her bed on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the age 94, succumbing to complications relating to Parkinson’s Disease and her advanced age. She is survived by her three children, daughter, Darlene Frentz, sons, Randy Himmel and Tommy Gray, as well as her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and subsequent extended family.

Anastasia, better known as “Estelle,” to her friends and family, was born July 22, 1929 to Yugoslavian immigrants, Louis and Ursula Pitalo. In 1936 the couple opened ‘L. Pitalo’s Grocery’ on Howard Avenue in Biloxi, where Estelle worked helping her mother run the store until her early twenties. A completely random chance encounter with an Air Force airman from New Jersey named Robert Himmel, at a skating rink, led to their happy marriage of over 66 years. 

The family closed their store in the early 70’s and resettled in Ocean Springs. Estelle worked at the Fisherman’s Wharf for over 20 years, and even had the honor of serving President Ford, which she said was “one of the proudest moments of her life.”
 
Unlike Bob, who was a “character” by every sense of the word, Estelle was a stoic and calculated homebody; reserved and contemplative in all her actions and opinions. Estelle frowned upon gossip, commanded respect, and was incredibly warm and inviting. Her life was one of unfettered dedication to her family. 
 
She loved to laugh, she loved to love, and her presence was our present. 
 
Estelle was survived by two sons, Tommy Gray and Randy Himmel, her daughter Darlene (and Richard) Frentz. Her grandchildren are Richard Jr., Ursula, Alexander, Dallas, Danny, and Anastasia. Her great-grandchildren are Brendan, Hunter, Erik, Harleigh, and Lakken.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi for a visitation from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. A memorial service will follow from 11:00 am until Noon and funeral procession shortly after to the Old Biloxi Cemetery (Biloxi City Cemetery), northside off Irish Hill Drive. 
 
The family has no plans for a reception afterwards.

Bradford Okeefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Anastasia Mary Himmel.